Research on old local varieties of fruit trees begun 40 years ago in Central Italy. A race against time to save these plants from their definitive disappearance.
With the material found in these years, a collection orchard has been established on the estate of S. Lorenzo di Lerchi, in Città di Castello. The plants, cultivated with the traditional systems of the place, are set within a context that recovers and restores the harmony and suggestions of an agricultural landscape of ancient wisdom. There are about 600 specimens of different species including apple, pear, cherry, plum, fig, almond, medlar and quince, in 150 different varieties found in the research areas.
The collection serves for the maintenance of plant and cultural resources but is also an important testimony of the historical, cultural and landscape heritage of the Umbrian-Tuscan Valtiberina and the neighboring territories. We take care of these plants with wisdom and dedication. We carefully follow their growth and their capacity to resist climate change. We have implemented the water system to make up for the decrease in rainfall, in order to better preserve our plants and ultimately agrobiodiversity and local productions.
